[Spoilers] Commodore is Kublai Khan of Greece...yeah.

[NobleHelium]

http://www.civfanatics.com/civ4/strategy...aphics.php says they're 6k just like normal axes. Vultures are also 6k.

[Commodore]

In those days it came to pass that a host of Indians came forth towards the passes of Norvos. The Fifth Phalanx met them at the border and offered battle, killing a great many of their company. The Fourth Phalanx then sallied to protect the wounded among the victors from the Indians, who were full of great wroth. Those were the days of Marie Curie.



Marie was born from a scientist family in Volantis, and showed greatness even in her early days. The wise of Volantis were concerned in those days with the sciences of Construction and Coinage, and not much given to reflection. As intelligent and lively as any person in the city, Marie was most known for her passion for the Arts. The first study of Aesthetics was conducted by her students, and that would some day lead to Literature and Music as sciences in their own right.



Marie's Academy of Arts remains to this day, and her legacy remains in the Scientific Artists throughout the Free Cities. She lived her days in Volantis, teaching and writing, and died in her fiftieth year.

[Merovech]

http://www.civfanatics.com/civ4/strategy...aphics.php says they're 6k just like normal axes. Vultures are also 6k.

[Commodore]

Turns 65-67 So it came to pass in those days that a great battle was fought accross the Lake of Whales within the lands of the Spring tribe. The Indians of Scooter slew a great many of the sons of the Teller, and burned a city of theirs to the ground. In those days, then, the wise of the Free Cities began to consider a settlement to claim the west river beyond the plains of Lys.



The Free City of Lys waxed greater in those days, its green surround supplying all that could be needed for food. An odeon was built therein, to further solidify the cultural might and mark of the Free Cities and to give home to some of the Artists of Curie.



The Great Prophet Mani was born in those days and founded Christianity in the lands of India, derived from the religion of the Jews therein. The faith spread to the very center of the empire of India, giving rise to more temples providing culture and solace.



The Mayans, meanwhile, sent out the first settlers to the Great Jungle, armed with iron axes to chop down the tough trees and the knowledge of Calendar to time the planting of plantations amidst the lush sugar and banana lands.



From the city of Pentos an expedition set out, two phalanx joined with a run of catapults, to assault the new city of Maya and attempt to claim the Great Jungle for the Free Cities. For the cities were growing year by year, and the whole of the land under their banners was fast becoming a green and settled country.



And all of it was still guarded by the spears of the phalanx, the tenth of which was commissioned in those days.

[Commodore]

Turns 68-71 The pace of this game is slightly nuts, none of us are playing our best. I've had an interesting few turns. In the west, Scooter has been swarming axes in fear of my pair of C2/Shock phalanx. He deleted the chopping worker 1S of them to avoid capture! Ridiculous.


Meanwhile, Pindicator made an ill-planned settlement in the jungle on the sugar, guarding with a holkan and chariot. Um...rare you get the chance to pretty confidently get XP on siege.


Predictably, he withdrew his defenders and let me waltz in. I'm going to putter a sentry around the area, I need to get a settlement down here but calendar is kind of a must. Music and its Great Artist must come first, however.


All this success against Scooter and Pindicator is well and good, but my biggest competition right now is AT. He's been swamping me with EP, and it's only due my Academy (so much better than a lame shrine) that I'm researching faster. Keeping power nice and high, and watching him carefully for signs of either Construction or HBR. Dogpile the guy with 50% more soldiers? Apparently not.


Volantis might push people over the edge, however. I felt all happy about my Great Library micro, until I realized I actually had a whopping four hammers extra! If I'd known that ahead of time I'd have done a third-ring chop to get it in four turns. My primary issue is health, oddly enough. I need fish or banana...although I guess this is an odd case where an aqueduct would be worth it for itself, not just for unlocking the HG.


The tiny satellite cities are doing well. I researched IW in two turns to get those two sexy 1/5 tiles online. I'f I get dogpiled, I'll need lots and lots of spears, phalanx, and cats. After Music and Calendar, it's all about the Gunpowder beeline. I doubt I'll make it there without getting into a full-blown war.


#firstworldproblems

[Commodore]

Capital is now making 42 beakers per turn.

[Commodore]

Turns 72-74 So a proper story update is due, but here's what's been happening. Firstly, I'm about to be screwed by crossbows. If he's smart, at least, he could rush in the Parthenon I guess.


I'm fairly sure he avoided rushing the Paya, given 275% hammers.


The population of my rivals is growing. It's hard not working mines/specs with this setup, though. Lys is going to make a settler to share, methinks.


So, then, AT is my chief rival. He can cross his bows at any time. Solution?


To keep or to raze, my friends...

[Commodore]

A great host set out from Volantis in the spring of the year Franclyn was born, raising spears against the malignant city of Vulture Road. Spies from the city had begun to concern the Commodore, and the city's influence had grown considerably against that of Volantis.



Four companies of catapult were brought to assist in the siege of the city, and six phalanx and one company of ekdromoi were in the army. From the great jungle patrol, the First Phalanx was brought up in support as well. Arrayed against the army of Volantis was a great host of Vulture Companies, archers, and most fearsomely, horse archers. A company of archers from the northwest hills struck at the camp of the Free Citizen host, but the Bane of Lys Phalanx repulsed them.



On the twenty-fifth day of spring, the host of Volantis advanced against the walls of the city. The catapults bombarded the city and its defenders for some time, and although three of the four companies were destroyed by return fire, the greater whole of the garrison within the city were shaken and hurt. Then the great phalanx of the Free Cities struck out.



The Vultures, spearmen, and archers of the city could not stand before the might of the spears of the phalanx. All six had struck that day, and only a few scattered defenders remained before the gates of the city. The Second Ekdromoi, light spearmen as of yet unbloodied by the day's fighting, pushed forward and slew the remnant, breaking into the city of Vulture Road.

A great store of gold was found within the vaults of the city. Although the wisest among the commanders advised putting the whole of the city to the torch, the rash supreme commander of the host stayed his hand, coveting the city's forge, courthouse, and shrine.



The wiser shook their heads and the greater portion of the host remained outside the city, awaiting the horsemen and chariots of the Teller soon to come seeking revenge.

[Gaspar]

<-- with the wise commanders

[Commodore]

<-- with the wise commanders

All part of the plan. Why take it once when you can take it twice?